Staying melded with the shadows, Tyothiel kept his eye on the house. He did not see Thielor, but could hear his despairing cries and him repeatedly kicking the door. A green-haired hunter strode toward him, his face glowing with triumph. Tyothiel felt his restraint slipping away and slammed his fist into the nearby tree.
Of all the despicable creatures! He could not believe Ardros, Thielor's best friend, had done something so heinous.
"Ardros!" he growled. "You are sick of mind! I never would have agreed to this knowing you would resort to that of a green-skinned savage!"
Ardros hoisted his belt with a satisfied grin. "I think I've proven my point. She is frightened, has no one here. She will be on her way soon enough! Problem solved."
Shaking his head, Tyothiel groaned. Sickness crept into his stomach. First the hunter had attacked that carriage, and now this. This plan was slowly – no quickly – heading for a downward spiral. He still wanted nothing more than to knock Thielor's lifelong friend into next year.
"Thielor will kill you if he discovers what you have done!"
Ardros only shrugged. "I will take that chance."
"Then you have solved nothing!"
The younger man narrowed his eyes. "You approve of them?"
"That is beside the point! Violations of free will is NOT our way!"
Something dangerous flared within the young hunter's eyes. Tyothiel had known Ardros for most of his son's upbringing. He was often brash and obstinate but never beyond that. It seemed many had changed right along with the world, some for better, others for worst.
"You truly don't see what's happened to him!" the hunter glowered. "That girl has been violating your son's free will since he met her! And whether they end up together is moot. In time, Thielor will find himself alone in her company. Slowly and surely, resentment will rip them apart."
Tyothiel rubbed his temples and sighed. He could no longer tolerate Ardros' lack of compassion and discretion. He had watched everything, and privately, wished he had sent an arrow skewering through his chest.
With no further word, Tyothiel removed his hood and slung his backpack over one shoulder. He then stormed toward the house.
Ardros put his hands on his hips, watching him.
"What are you doing?"
"It is not your concern," Tyothiel growled. "Now go. You have wasted enough of my time!"
Ardros stepped in front of him, a dagger gripped tightly. It's smooth, curved blade glinted coldly. "Coward! We had an agreement! The girl is ruining my friend's way and it ends here!"
In a blink, Ardros jabbed swiftly at his flank.
Tyothiel's cat-like agility instantly took over. He lurched backward quickly to avoid the slash, only to see Ardros make an overhead, downward swing. Tyothiel reached up and caught the man's elbow, twisting him like a can opener. He squeezed harder and Ardros shouted. His arm began buckling under the pressure. Tyothiel pressed further, his wrist and bicep starting to ache. The pearled dagger finally slipped from Ardros' grasp, landing at his feet.
Stunned, Ardros paused, and within a blink, Tyothiel swung his clenched fist, hitting the insolent hunter across the cheekbone. His green hair whipped to one side as he stumbled, purple fluid trickling down his chin. Tyothiel took one look at the dagger and scowled. Catching his breath, he reached down and picked it up.
He would not waste time wondering how his late wife's weapon found its way into Ardros' hands.
"Get out of my sight," he hissed dangerously, gripping the dagger. "or Thielor won't get the chance to kill you..."
Rubbing his cheek, Ardros said no more. He staggered as he slid between the trees, disappearing in the blackness.
Minutes later, Tyothiel approached the cottage. The girl lay curled up on one side, her tiny fingers clinging to blades of grass. Thielor's black dinner shirt lay crumpled on the ground next to her. She pushed in an attempt to sit up, but collapsed, sobbing and sniffling.
Tyothiel knelt beside her, shaking his head. There was little he could do to take back what Ardros had done. Her stricken cries and strained visage still seeped in his memory. She did not deserve this, no matter how he felt about outsiders.
Sensing him, the girl defensively raised an arm over her head, "I know you are there. Please don't hurt me. I'll do anything!"
He said nothing and wrapped the shirt around her shoulders, then covered her exposed backside with his cloak. The girl shivered while trying to roll over. Tyothiel gently took her shoulder, helping her. Tears and mud marred her swollen ivory cheeks. With her eyes closed, she moaned weakly and clenched her hands. "Who are you?"
"Take it easy, young one," he said and clasped the shirt and cloak around her neck. "I'm - I'm a friend."
The girl exhaled with some relief, "Tyothiel!" she reached for him. Reluctantly, the hunter helped her sit up. The girl wiped her face and motioned toward the house. "Thielor... he's trapped inside. Go to him...quickly."
Another barrage of kicks struck the door. Thielor could be heard shouting in both common and Darnassian. With a groan, the priestess jerked and made an attempt to stand, but Tyothiel softly grasped her shoulders. "No, stay here. Rest. I'll help."
He exhaled sharply and stood. The large stump wedged under the door handle shook violently. He kicked it aside and in a flash, the door swung open. Thielor leapt toward him in a purple and silver blur, his nostrils flared.
"Where is he?" Thielor growled, seizing Tyothiel's throat.
Tyothiel pushed against him but it was not enough. Next thing he knew, his back slammed into stone and weaved vines.
"I said, where is he?!" Thielor then demanded and swung hard at his cheekbone.
"Thielor, calm yourself!" he strained and caught Thielor's fist, only to feel his jaw struck by the other. For a brief second, his bottom teeth rattled, tearing his vision. "Stop this now!"
Bitter fluid stung his mouth. He coughed and sputtered, his senses leveling. In the corner of his eye, the priestess crawled away and disappeared inside the house. Thielor's tight fist flayed, this time, sailing past his temple. Tyothiel sought the opportunity and snatched his wrist. Straining, he pushed against Thielor, turning them until Thielor's back planted into the wall. Taking his shoulders, he shook him firmly. "Stop, Thielor! Focus! It's me!"
His son's sharp eyes dimmed slightly, loosening his grip. He slowed his breathing and groaned, doubling over slightly. As Tyothiel let go, Thielor looked over his swollen knuckles. Realization shone in his eyes as he exhaled sharply, his jaw dropping.
"Oh...what the...?" the hunter breathed. He then looked up and winced. "Father. Oh, Elune's Light! What have I done?"
Relieved, Tyothiel sighed and flexed his jaw. "Nothing you should worry about. You only hit me once."
"Forgive me," Thielor whimpered while coddling his hand. "I was so angry!"
Tyothiel patted Thielor's shoulder. He had always been quite the fighter, just as his mother intended. In a way, he felt rather proud. But now he knew never to get on his bad side.
"Leah," Thielor glanced around, confused, "Did you see Leah? She was just here!"
The girl appeared in the doorway, silently cupping her mouth. Thielor rushed to her, colliding in a desperate embrace.
"I have you, Love! Are you all right?" Her grass-specked hair whipped back and forth. She made a faint noise and wept softly on his bare chest. "Shh...It's over. You are safe now! He is gone."
Thielor stroked the back of her neck and took a few settling breaths. He then looked at Tyothiel and wrinkled his brow with some suspicion.
"Father, what are you doing out here?" he asked almost accusingly. "You haven't been here since I was a boy."
The dark-haired night elf wiped his forehead. "I, uh, just needed to clear my head, think about things. Is everything all right?"
Thielor shook his head in despair. His companion still shivered with grief and even confusion.
"No, it's not. Our carriage was attacked last night," he replied and kissed Leah's forehead. "We crashed and barely escaped here with our lives."
The girl's damp eyes raised to him. "Awhile ago," she squeaked, struggling for air. "a man broke in... held a knife at me. He... forced me down... and... Oh, I can't... I just can't!" She let go, sobbing again.
Tyothiel felt his stomach sink. He looked away, conflict tearing him in two.
"He cannot have gone far!" Thielor continued sharply. "Did you see anyone nearby?"
"I'm afraid not," Tyothiel stiffly shook his head, "I was at the river when I heard screaming."
Thielor's lips pursed tightly. He growled low. Tyothiel searched his eyes for any further suspicion but found none. His only intent was finding the girl's attacker.
"Ardros is behind this," the young hunter declared.
Hesitating, Tyothiel tensed his arms.
Leah suddenly looked up in shock. "What? The man was cloaked! How can you be sure?"
"I saw him leaving, Leah... after he finished..." Thielor replied bruskly.
With nothing more to say, she covered her mouth again, closing her eyes.
Tyothiel struggled to gather his thoughts and moved beside them. Nothing could bring him to speak. Instead, he raised his head to the sky and whispered to Elune, something he had not done for several weeks. Frankly, seeing his mate suffer had shaken his faith, but he could not let Thielor slip beyond his grasp no matter what. His son's safety and happiness had utmost priority.
Finished, he was met by Thielor's curious stare. He took his son's hand, then the girl's, placing them together. She flinched slightly and settled her tears. Tyothiel walked away, leaving them to their thoughts.
He stopped at the eastern side of the house, watching through the window as the two stepped inside. Thielor sat next to Leah and held her. They were speaking, but Tyothiel could barely discern their conversation.
"...will happen?.."
"...his fate will likely be left up to you..."
Leah sat up straight and cleared her face, nodding.
She then took Thielor's swelled hand and kissed it softly. She raised her head, chanting in a language Tyothiel did not know. His brow rose. For several minutes, white lights swirled around his son's hand and then faded. Some swelling remained but Thielor seemed to move his hand more freely.
Tyothiel suddenly found himself smiling, appreciating her regard for others. He often heard stories of how some humans disregarded his people as strange. But this woman, she was different. It seemed she did not cling to prejudices. This left Tyothiel confused, yet intrigued.
Thielor kissed her cheek and stood. He began opening cabinets and drawers. Inside them were various items they could find useful: twin cast iron kettles, chipped dishes, candles, a bottle of oil, and some musty old clothing. Tyothiel then wandered around back. An old wash tub was left in tact. He turned it over and cleared away dirt, limbs, and insects. Once he gathered some wood and got a fire started, he went back and forth from the river, filling the kettles. He then heated the water and filled the tub, also adding many healing herbs he had gathered in the forest. Some time later he finished and peered inside the house. Leah remained sitting while Thielor sorted through everything he had found.
"I've prepared her a bath," he told him. "Best to use it while the water is still warm."
Thielor glanced up and smiled in surprise, while Leah held up her hands.
"Oh, no. I didn't want to impose on you," the girl said gently.
"It's none at all. I am glad to help," said Tyothiel.
"That was very thoughtful." Thielor began ripping the cloth into strips for bandages, saving the larger pieces for washing cloths. He put an arm around her waist while she stood and then guided her outside.
As they moved passed him, Leah gently inclined her head. "Thank you for your kindness, Tyothiel."
The hunter nodded silently. He remained by the door. His keen sense scanned the forest. No sign of Ardros quickly set him at ease.
"By Malorne, I should have done something!" Thielor said regretfully, helping Leah undress. He removed her shirt and cloak while she pulled off her chemise, looking away as much as he could.
Reality had not quite absorbed yet... His best friend of all things! How could he? They were like brothers! They played games together, confided in one another. Thielor hoped this to be a simple nightmare and he would awake to a normal day. But no amount of wishing would take this away from either of them.
"It was not your fault, Thielor," Leah said plainly, but he couldn't agree.
For one of his people to commit such an act... It was extremely rare and disheartening. There was no warning sign prompting his friend's rapid change in disposition. Thielor could not pinpoint the most subtle of nuances, not even at the tavern in Menethil Harbor. Ardros had indeed been rather inconsiderate, but that was all. Thielor only wished he had watched him more closely.
"And you are certain it was him. Absolutely certain," Leah pressed further, still in disbelief, her teeth grinding as she guardedly sank in the tub.
Thielor sat on the nearby stump. He began helping her bathe, running a soft cloth carefully over her tensed back. "Positive. I cannot shake the look on his face. Oh, Leah. I must apologize. I did not wish to see what happened..."
Leah turned to him and bound her hair in one hand, holding it off to one side. Colorful petals and leafy sprigs floated around her. A hint of sadness crept into her expression. "Let it go. There is no stopping what's been done. You taught me that."
He let out a frustrated breath. "It's not that simple now."
"If it stays with you, it will consume you. Your anger will give Ardros power over you, over us," she paused and leaned her head aside as he began scrubbing her shoulders, dipping the cloth occasionally. "We must let the authorities handle this."
Thielor sat silent for a few minutes. He was not certain justice would be carried out swiftly enough.
"I will consider it," he uncertainly said. His nostrils flared briefly. He would focus on her, provide anything she needed, but deep down, he could only think of one solution, though he did not speak of it.
"Thielor," her trembling voice broke his thoughts, "I need you. This has never happened to me."
He softly tilted her head back, and with his cupped hand, began pouring the water over her sea of dark hair. In moments, the satiny point touched the water, spreading out among the petals. Leah closed her eyes. Crystal-like tears dangled from her lashes.
"You have me, Leah, until death takes me. Goddess help me, this will never happen to you again!"
Footsteps crunched the grass and dried leaves nearby. Thielor turned and saw his father walking toward them. His arms tensed slightly while their eyes met. Leah quietly sank under water until her glistening shoulders went below the edge of the tub. Thielor glanced down at her, then his father. He suppressed a laugh, swearing the man's cheeks went purple.
"I'm going to the village for supplies," Tyothiel offered, diverting his eyes. "Will you be all right here?"
Thielor nodded. "We need clothing, food, weapons. Until we figure this out, we need to stay here if that's all right."
"Of course, Son. Please stay as long as needed," Tyothiel said courteously. "There is food in my pack. It's scarce, but I will not be gone long."
Thielor stood up, smiling gratefully. "Thank you. We really appreciate this, An'da. I know you and I have had differences since I arrived, but I will not dwell on them now."
He extended a hand, but his father did not take it. Water splashed behind him briefly.
Tyothiel suddenly turned around and kept his head cocked to the side.
"Son, would you be so kind...?" he murmured in Darnassian.
Thielor felt droplets of lukewarm water on his back. He lowered his hand and glanced behind him. Leah had risen slightly. The upper curve of her breasts peered above the surface. She had paid them little mind as she tied her wet hair with a strip of cloth and then sniffed a bundle of petals. Thielor felt his cheeks had landed on a fire pit and located the cloak, flinging it over the branch to give her more privacy. Leah barely reacted and continued bathing.
Thielor glanced to his father and chuckled.
"It's all right now."
Tyothiel hurried away, his hair whipping behind him. "I will return soon."
Leah had almost forgotten they were near, lost in the pleasant scents and warmth around her. As Thielor caught her attention, she gasped and sank below the petals. Her face was red and shiny like an apple. But then she stood and quickly pulled the cloak around her, stepping onto the grass. The slight breeze sent a wave of goosebumps over her skin. The cloak fit rather loosely, like a bathrobe. Despite its thickness and warmth, it felt like ice glazed over her toes.
She watched Tyothiel disappear around the corner. Thielor took a short breath. She held on to him, her upper thighs still sore, her knees unsteady.
"Oh, how embarrassing! I must be more aware of who is around me," she managed to chuckle lightly.
"That would be for the best," he said, laughing as well. "How do you feel?"
"Slightly better." She looked around warily as the sky was growing dark. "I can't believe this day is nearly gone! Let's go inside. I wish to talk to you about something."
"I hope our staying here doesn't upset you. I know you would rather be on the next ship home, but -"
"No, it's not that. Come. I don't wish to discuss this out here."
They got inside, and Leah finished drying herself with an old linen shirt. After that, she climbed into bed and pulled velvet sheets over her. The provided herbs and petals seeped into her pores and she soon felt her muscles begin to relax. Her stomach rumbled, but she felt little need to eat right now.
Night had fallen in a blink and Thielor lit a single candle on the night table. The bed shifted and he sank into the pillow beside her. His soft touch moved up her arm. As always, his hollow, yet gleaming gaze seemed to peer into her soul.
"I know you are worried," he softly told her.
Leah kept quiet for the moment and clasped her hand over her eyes. Though she felt distant and lost within herself, she knew her thoughts could not be hidden from him. Removing her hand, he placed it over his beating heart. She could feel its increase drum against her palm and fingers.
Her throat swelled again. "Why? Why did he -?"
The hunter sighed, interrupting her. "I don't know."
She looked away. "If only I had..."
"Don't, Leah. Don't you ever think that," he forced her gaze to his, "It was his doing, not yours, not mine. You are a part of me, and nobody will take that away."
Leah felt her heart skip and wiped the raw, damp skin beneath her eyes. No matter what, she could not allow this to set them adrift. They had come too far in such a short time. His sincerity rang true like a commitment. But that only erased a fraction of her fears.
"My family can never know," she somberly told him.
His brow knotted with worry. "Why not?"
"I don't know if you will understand," she sniffled. Thielor frowned as she explained. "In their day, young girls were cast out of their homes if their families knew. Most found themselves alone or back in the hands of those who initially hurt them."
"That is atrocious!" Thielor gasped.
"It's so hard for them to escape. When I was fifteen, I bumped into a girl barely my age. She was lucky to get away from that horrible life after her older brother found out what happened and killed the man responsible. It was the last time she saw him."
"What happened to her?"
"I decided to take her in but we never spoke of her situation to anyone."
"Not even the other priests?"
"No. I would not risk them telling her family. She became a great healer, but my heart broke for her."
Thielor closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. Leah knew this was hard for him to take in. She only assumed his people would not tolerate anything of the sort. Both genders here, from what she could gleam, cooperated with one another and their surroundings. Leah found this beautiful and intriguing.
"Oh, Leah," His lips brushed her forehead as he breathed shakily, "How can anyone get away with... I mean, did your people try to stop it?" He softly clasped the back of her neck, pulling her against him. Leah cringed a bit when their skin came into contact. She held him loosely.
"People outside the abbey never admitted there was a problem. I still don't understand. They claimed to be followers of the Light, yet deemed any raped woman 'impure' and a blight upon their families. Such injustices should never have happened, but they did."
"This is not something you can just keep from them."
"I know, but I must."
"Leah, you are hardly a girl. They have to listen."
She cleared her throat. "Thielor, our home may have changed but their beliefs did not. They will cast me out of their lives forever."
Agitation drew his lips together briefly. He kept his voice gentle. "It is assault, be it with a knife or not."
"Don't you think I know that?" Leah shook her head and sighed. "Look, let's not talk about this anymore. I need some rest."
The hunter rolled to his back, keeping her head snug on his chest. Leah could hear aggravation in his sharp, prolonged breath but felt they had dwelt on this enough.
She closed her eyes but sleep did not come easy. She tossed and turned, images flooding her mind. Flames, the wreckage, the man's husky groan and unwanted touch – they all overlapped in her dreams, and a few short hours later, her eyes snapped open. She sprang upright, panting, sweat covering her body. Beside her, the covers were pushed aside. Thielor was gone.